Obituaries Feb. 6, 2008

Dr. Roger MarlinFULTON – Dr. Roger Boyd Marlin, 58, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at the North Mississippi Medical Center of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. He was born in West Point on Sept. 9, 1949, the only child of Clifton Boyd Marlin and Dorothy Moore Marlin. He attended elementary school at Boyd Elementary School in Jackson. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baton Rouge, La., in 1967. He graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1971 and from LSU Medical School in New Orleans in 1974. While attending LSU his honorary fraternities were Phi Kappa Phi, Mu Sigma Rho, Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Epsilon Delta. He did a rotating internship at Earl K. Long Charity Hospital in Baton Rouge until 1975.

He started his medical practice in Fulton on July 7, 1975, and practiced at the same location until he had to retire Nov. 17, 2006, for medical reasons. He also worked in local emergency rooms, mostly in Iuka and Ripley. He enjoyed working on his family’s tree farm, medical practice and interaction with people. Other enjoyments were watching the stock market, LSU football and his cats.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fulton United Methodist Church, where he was a member. Bro. Jim Fisher will officiate. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Fulton is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Margo Mize Marlin of Fulton; three sons, Gene Marlin of Birmingham, Ala., and James Marlin and Henry Marlin of the home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Marlin of Fulton; an uncle, Jack Marlin (Grace) of Fawn Grove; aunts, Ruth Maloy of Americus, Ga., Cliffie Marlin of Dyersburg, Tenn., Mildred Sheffield and Ola Rae Boren, both of Tupelo; a special aunt, Eupal Thornberry of Fulton; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Dr. Genie Mize Adams (Dr. Paul Adams), H. Paula Mize, Paul “Buzzy” Mize (Catherine) and Sidney Mize Dilgren (Mark); three nephews, one niece; a host of cousins.

He was preceded in death by his uncles, Graden Comer, Harold Pearson, N.A. Sheffield, Erskin Thornberry, Victor Marlin and Bill Marlin; an aunt, June Pearson; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Mize Sr.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service time Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Marlin’s memory may be made to the Fulton United Methodist Church or the FUMC Food Pantry, P.O. Box 907, Fulton, MS 38843.

Ezra BlackAMORY – Ezra Evans Black, 79, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at Community Hospice in Verona after a short illness. He was born on June 17, 1928, in Walker County, Ala., to Albert Wesley and Maude Lawrence Evans Black. He had lived in Chicago for 15 years and in Amory for 38 years. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, serving as a corporal operating the switchboard. While in Chicago, he was employed by Brock’s Candy Company and in Amory he was employed by true Temper Sports in silk screening before his retirement.

Ezra’s greatest enjoyment lay in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. He was well known for helping people, giving to others and making friends of complete strangers. He enjoyed his church, working for his church and being involved with his church family. Ezra was well known for his wind chimes he made to sell but ended up giving away. Also, he held great enjoyment in his flowers and gardening, of which he always gave to people with a smile.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today, Feb. 6, 2008, at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Amory with Bro. Wade Cook and Bro. Keith Benefield officiating. Burial will be in Lann Cemetery in Splunge. E.E. Pickle Funeral Home of Amory is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his two daughters, Anita Branham and her husband, Charley, of Amory and Karyn Farrar and her husband, Andy, of Hamilton; his former wife, Linda Bonita Black Hadaway of Amory; two brothers, John Black of Cordova, Ala., and James Black of Jasper, Ala.; three grandchildren, Bethany Michelle Branham, Megan Danielle Black and Charles Evan Branham; one great-grandchild, Ethan Zane Cope.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Pamela Michelle Black; two brothers, Austin Black and Robert Black; and two sisters, Opal Shumate and Mary Katherine “Sis” Pate.

Essie Mae ReeseABERDEEN – Essie Mae Reese, 80, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was a member of the Mother Board at Baptist Grove M.B. Church.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Baptist Grove M.B. Church with Pastor Joseph Lampkin officiating. Burial will be in Baptist Grove Cemetery. Belle Memorial Funeral Home of Aberdeen is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her stepmother, Katie Carson; three sons, David Payne of Tupelo, Terry Reese of Fairhope, Ala., and Curtis Reese of Shreveport, La.; five daughters, Mary Ella Everett, Minnie Simmons, Marcella Morrow, Mary Sue Reese and Patricia Reese Howell, all of West Point; three brothers Elias Johnson Jr., Andrew Johnson and D.C. Johnson, all of St. Louis; two sisters, Jessie Blanchard and Laura B. Chiles, both of St. Louis, Mo.; 29 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Elias Johnson; her mother, Minnie Candy; and her husband, Theotis Reese.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Michie First Baptist Church with Bro. Brian Rainey officiating. Burial will be in Temple Hill Cemetery in Michie, Tenn. Magnolia Funeral Home of Corinth is in charge of the arrangements.

He was preceded in death by his father, Junior Rickman; his mother, Mary Baker Rickman Patterson; and a brother, Clyde M. Rickman.

Doris ColvinAMORY – Doris Margaret Conwill Colvin, 78, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center in Amory after a brief illness. She was born April 19, 1929, in Monroe County to David Alonzo and Ruby Estelle Sumner Conwill. She had lived in Europe, Hawaii, California and Texas, and in Monroe County for 20 years. She was a graduate of Nettleton School. She was an employee of Country Squire and a member of Bigbee Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at the E.E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory with Bro. Tommy Whaley officiating. Burial will be in Indian Mound Cemetery in Monroe County.

Survivors include one son, James Thomas Colvin Jr. (Deborah) of Irving, Texas; one brother, James Conwill of Amory; one sister, Sarah Bratton of Amory; three grandchildren, Taylor Avrett, Madison Avrett and Dakota Avrett.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, David Conwill, Harold Conwill, W.H. Conwill and Charles Conwill; and a sister, Francis Harris.

Pallbearers will be family members and friends.Visitation will continue until service time today.

Frances CampAMORY – Frances Virginia Swan Camp, 94, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Pickle Funeral Home of Amory. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Duane BurgessCUMBERLAND – Duane Burgess, 63, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Eupora. He was born July 5, 1944, in Cumberland. He was a heavy equipment mechanic and a member of Cumberland Baptist Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Cumberland Baptist Church. Burial will be in Old Cumberland Cemetery in Webster County. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his mother, Myra Burgess of Maben; one son, Doug Burgess of Maben; one sister, Linda Crowley of Maben; three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Orban Burgess.

Pauline BoltBOONEVILLE – Pauline M. Bolt, 91, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at The Landmark Nursing and Rehab in Booneville. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McMillan Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Mary LoganDERMA – Mary Logan, 79, died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, at her home. She was born July 16, 1928, in Coffeeville. She was a retired employee of Graeber Brothers and a member of Grace Southern Baptist Church in Calhoun City. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed listening to gospel and country music, and camping with her friends and family as long as her health allowed.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Pryor Funeral Home Chapel in Calhoun City with Bro. Carl Morris and Bro. Dale Easley officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Grenada.

Survivors include her husband, Gordon Logan of Derma; one son, Bill Logan of Calhoun City; one daughter, Rosanne Schwalenberg (Davy) of Calhoun City; four grandchildren, Lesley Schwalenberg Machtinger (Mike) of Washington D.C., and DeAnna Schwalenberg, Bronson Logan and Cobie Logan, all of Calhoun City; one sister, Maxine Howell (James) of Big Creek; one brother, Carter Burns (Martha Ann) of Big Creek; a special friend, Pam Knight; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Vernon Burns; her mother, Mildred Berry Burns; and a daughter, Sandra Kay Logan.

Joy Spight Sr.MACON, Ga. – Joy Spight Sr., 80, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at the Carl Vinson V.A. Medical Center. He was an early member of Ball Hill M.B. Church in Tiplersville. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a letter sorter for the U.S. Postal Service. He was retired. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Knox Spight.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Foster and Son Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Reginald Spight officiating. Burial will be in Ball Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at noon today at the funeral home. A wake will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to services Thursday.

Ruth LiveakosTUPELO – Ruth Krudop Liveakos, 92, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at her home after an extended illness. A Mobile, Ala. native, she was born May 3, 1915, to the late Richard Camper and Mabel Olivia Bickell Krudop. On May 31, 1946, she married Gus Liveakos. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Montevallo and later received her master’s degrees in speech and English from the University of Alabama. During World War II, she served her country at the Pentagon, composing the letters sent to families of fallen soldiers. After the war she began her 50-year career in public education, teaching in California, Alabama, Norfolk, Virginia and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, before moving to Tupelo in 1957. She taught math, history, speech and drama at Tupelo High School from 1959 to 1985. The performing arts center of the school bears her name as a tribute to her contributions. During this time she was named the Cowboy Maloney Outstanding Speech Teacher of the Year in 1985. She was also one of the founders of the Tupelo Community Theatre and director of the organization’s first play, “Laura.” Each year the Ruth Liveakos Scholarship is given in her honor. She was named to the Mississippi Thespians Hall of Fame in 1989. She was also very active in the community, participating in Meals on Wheels and the Alumni Association of the University of Montevallo. The Altrusa Club named her Woman of the Year. She was a very dedicated member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and sang in the choir. She was a founding member of Daughters of the King.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at All Saints’ Episcopal Church with the Rev. LaRae Rutenbar, the Rev. Ray Goodman and the Rev. Gene Asbury officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.

W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Gus Liveakos of Tupelo; two daughters, Merrell Rogers (Dr. Lee Rogers) and Laura Liveakos Colatrella of Tupelo; one son, Richard Liveakos (Gloria Lind) of Pensacola, Fla.; one sister, Lauranne Riley of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; five grandchildren, Sims Rogers Polk (Chad) of Nashville, Tenn., Dr. Hart Rogers (Kate) of Boston, Mass., Barrett Liveakos of Annapolis, Md., Alexis “Lexi” Colatrella and John C. “Bubba” Colatrella, both of Walls, N.J.; one great-grandson, Bentley Polk of Nashville, Tenn.She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Bellaire Krudop.

Pallbearers will be her nephews.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Parrish Hall of All Saints’ Episcopal Church.Memorials may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, 608 W. Jefferson, Tupelo, MS 38804; or the Ruth Liveakos Scholarship, University of Montevallo, Station 6215, Montevallo, AL 35115.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.

Dewitt SwordsPONTOTOC – Dewitt Swords, 96, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at his home. He was born April 21, 1911, in Pontotoc to Clarence Arthur Swords and Nan Wray Swords. He worked for Pontotoc County for many years and worked for the Mississippi State Highway Department. He was a Mason for 50 years and a member of Pontotoc Lodge No. 81. He was a deacon for 44 years, being ordained on Nov. 4, 1944, and retiring Dec. 21, 1986, at Shady Grove Baptist Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Shady Grove Baptist Church. Bro. David Barnett, Bro. James Lewis, Bro. Troy Montgomery and Bro. Doug Jones will officiate. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery. United Funeral Service of New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one daughter, Betty Pierce (Jim) of Strongsville, Ohio; one brother, J.T. Swords (Charlene) of Pontotoc; two sisters-in-law, Polly Montgomery and Geraldine Burchfield, both of Pontotoc; a special caregiver nephew, Shane Montgomery (Suzanne); a great-nephew, Jordan of Pontotoc; caregivers, Wanda Jones and Sunnett Stone of Pontotoc; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 69 years, Thelma Montgomery Swords; a daughter, Marilyn Jean; a sister, Beulah McMillen; and three brothers, Ocie Swords, Paul Swords and L.C. Swords.Pallbearers will be Graden Browning, Bobby Clay Russell, Billy Montgomery, Dr. Steve Montgomery, Jordan Montgomery, Tranny Montgomery, Brad Montgomery, Larry Self, Rickie Swords and Ed Morgan.Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Masonic Lodge No. 81 in Pontotoc.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service time Thursday.Memorials may be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 475 Shady Grove Road, Pontotoc, MS 38863; or NMMC Hospice, 422-A E. President St., Tupelo, MS 38801.

Mary BrinkleyTIPLERSVILLE – Mary Odell Brinkley, 92, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at her daughter’s home in Athens, Ala. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Ripley Funeral Home.

Gloria HolleyOLIVE BRANCH – Gloria “Geri” Holley, 73, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at her home. She was a former member of North Crossroads Church and a graduate of Burnsville High School. She retired after 38 years with General Electric in Memphis. An avid reader, she enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with her family. A great humanitarian, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at North Crossroads Community Church in Iuka with the Rev. Bobby Christian officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Jimmy Robinson will serve as an honorary pallbearer.Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Willie C. BrownWEST POINT – Willie C. Brown, 63, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at the Anderson Hospital in Meridian. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Carter’s Mortuary Services Chapel in West Point with the Rev. Bobby Bowens officiating. Burial will follow in the Sykes Cemetery in Prairie.

Survivors include his wife, Rosie Mae Brown; one son, Cardell Brown of Meridian; three daughters, Christine Brown King of Huntsville, Ala., and Brenda Brown and Deborah Brown, both of West Point; four sisters, Jackie Cannon of West Point, and Bettie Hosley, Annie Williams and Yolanda Williams, all of Meridian; 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Willie C. Cox and Michael Earl Brown; and two brothers, Leonard Brown and James Williams.Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Merrill WilsonTUPELO – Merrill Edwards Wilson, 79, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at the University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Holland-Harris Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel.

Billy BridgesRIPLEY – Billy Ross Bridges, 45, died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, at his home in Ripley. He was a construction worker before becoming disabled. He was a member of West Ripley Baptist Church.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at McBride Funeral Home Chapel in Ripley. Bro. Bill Baker will officiate, and Dr. Jack Bennett will assist. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery near Ripley.

Survivors include his mother, Leona Poole Bridges of Ripley; two sons, John Ross Bridges and Brandon Bridges, both of Falkner; the mother of his children, Susan Bridges of Falkner; two brothers, Greg Bridges (Belinda) and Lee Allen Bridges (Shea), both of Ripley; his grandmother, Eura Mae Poole of Ripley; one niece, Brinlee Bridges of Ripley; two stepnieces, Courtney Johnson and Chasity Johnson, both of Potts Camp.

He was preceded in death by his father, Billy Wade Bridges.

Pallbearers will be Tony Akins, David Spires, Rodney Rowland, David Ward, Lee Bennett and Dewayne Gaillard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 7 a.m. to service time Thursday.

Donations may be made to the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, 16 Northtown Drive, Suite 100, Jackson, MS 39211-3058.

To view and sign online visit www.mcbridefuneralhome.com.

Eleanor MatternOXFORD – Eleanor McLean Rust Mattern, 93, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi. She was the widow of Robert Adolph Mattern. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the American Association of University Women. She was a retired instructor at Michigan State University.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford. Burial will be at a later date in Fairfax, Va. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.Survivors include one son, Daniell Mattern of Oxford; one sister, Anne Hooe Patterson of Fairfax, Va.; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Audubon Mississippi, 285 Plains Road, Holly Springs, MS 38635 or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, One Intrepid Square, West 46th St. & 12th Ave. New York, NY 10036.

J.C. CollinsBRUCE – J.C. Collins, 84, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at Calhoun Health Services Nursing Home in Calhoun City. He was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Calhoun County. He was retired from the Calhoun County School Bus Shop. He was a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and a lifetime deacon. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict. He was a Master Masonic in the Antioch Lodge.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce. The Rev. Joey Hamilton will officiate, and the Rev. Wayne Cobb will assist. Graveside services will be at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Bruce with the Rev. W.R. Harrelson officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Senior Adult Men’s Sunday School Class at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Jean MauldinTUPELO – Jean Sudduth Mauldin, 80, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was born April 7, 1927, in Pontotoc County to Frank Sudduth and Nell Malone Sudduth. She was a homemaker and a member of Furrs Baptist Church. She enjoyed sitting with the elderly, playing bingo and watching QVC.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland-Harris Funeral Directors with Bro. Horace Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in White Zion Cemetery.

Survivors include her caregivers, Jimmy Sudduth (Lora) of Tupelo, Ronda Cummings (Terry) of Corinth and Sandra Verrell (Randy) of New Albany; a host of other nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Lavert, Roy, Lynn, Billy and Joe Ed Sudduth; and a sister, Ellen Wiygul.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. today and from noon to service time Thursday.Condolences may be e-mailed to holland-harrisfuneralhome@comcast.net.

Elizabeth LyonsGRENADA – Elizabeth Ann “Dixie” Lyons, 68, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at Grenada Lake Medical Center after a long illness. She was born Feb. 27, 1939, in Maben. She and her husband owned and operated Dixie Auto Sales and established Dixie Automobile Auction in Grenada in 1981. She was an active member Emmanuel Baptist Church. She was active in numerous civic and charitable organizations. An accomplished musician, she loved music. She left a legacy of faith, service, devotion and love for family, friends, church and community.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada with Dr. Clarence Cooper, the Rev. David Bryant and the Rev. David Tipton officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Grenada. Garner-Harper Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Gene Lyons; two daughters, Pam Moore (Kevin) and Beverly Hoop (Rusty), both of Grenada; three sisters, Larrene Ashmore and Warrene Stewart, both of Clarksdale, and Linda Haynes of Merigold; six grandchildren and two stepgrandsons, Lauren Moore, Paige Condy, Meredith Moore, Emily Moore, Haley Hoop and Peyton Hoop, all of Grenada, Patrick Lott of Clinton and Jeffrey Abels of Olive Branch; one great-grandchild, Hayden Parker; several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Millard Fillmore and Effie Myrtle Wright Douglas; two brothers, Kyle Douglas and Gerald Douglas; one sister, Doris Ashley; and one stepdaughter, Shirley Ables.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Emmanuel Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.

Havis LapradeHUNTINGDON, Tenn. – Havis Lamar Laprade, 76, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at the Huntingdon Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was born April 18, 1931, in Pontotoc to William and Lauell Gentry Laprade. He was a retired store manager for Fred’s.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Pontotoc. Dilday Funeral Home of Huntingdon, Tenn., is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one son, Tim Laprade, and two granddaughters, Melanie and Brooke Laprade, all of Huntingdon, Tenn.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita P. Laprade, in October 2005; and a sister, Gorldean Wardlaw.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimers Foundation of America.

Maurine ColemanOKOLONA – Maurine Anderson Coleman, 94, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at Shearer-Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona. She was born April 16, 1913, in Randolph to Elijah Quitman Anderson and Lenora Shirley Anderson. She married Robert Willie Coleman of Clay County on April 29, 1933. He preceded her in death in 1978. She lived in Montpelier from the time of her marriage until moving with her husband and family to Okolona in January 1949. For years she worked with her husband in the family’s cotton gin and farming enterprise. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Okolona and a loyal member of her Sunday school Class, the Lydia Class, and the Joy Group as long as her health permitted. She was known to a large number of children in Okolona as “Granny Coleman.” She was an avid fisherman, camper and gardener. She was a resident of Shearer-Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona at the time of her death and was previously a resident of the Mitchell Center in Tupelo for three years.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity.

Condolences may be e-mailed to holland-harrisfuneralhome@comcast.net.

Rev. Jim Foster Sr.MYRTLE – The Rev. Jim Gassaway Foster Sr., 78, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. He was born March 15, 1929, in Benton County to the Rev. Frank and Evie Foster.

He was a member of Beaver Dam M.B. Church in New Albany. During his lifetime he pastored three churches: Beulah Hill M.B. Church in Blue Mountain, St. Matthew M.B. Church in Ripley and Piney Grove M.B. Church in Pontotoc. He also was a youth pastor at Union Grove M.B. Church in New Albany during his early ministry. He was a field missionary and vice president of the Union Meeting of the Ripley Baptist Association for many years. He was a great Bible teacher and a farmer. He was famous for singing “Jonah.” He worked as a carrier for the Daily Journal and worked for the Town of Myrtle for several years. In his earlier years, he sung with the Early Travelers Quartet and was lead singer of the Pleasant Hill Specials Quartet. He sold garden vegetables, firewood and scrap iron.

Services will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Victory Life Center in New Albany. Dr. Stephen Shirley, the Rev. Bennie Cobb and the Rev. James Howell will officiate. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Beaver Dam Cemetery in New Albany. Beasley Funeral Home of New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.Survivors include four sons, Rev. Franklin James Howell (Linda) of Blue Mountain, Will Foster (Malon) of New Albany, Steve Foster (Perlinda) of Ingomar and Jim G. Foster Jr. (Krystal) of Ripley; four daughters, Sharon Foster, Brenda Liddell (Anderson) and Evia Girley (James), all of Blue Mountain, and Lottie Costanza of Ripley; five sisters, Mary Williams of Toledo, Ohio, Hattie Jones and Irene Mosley of West Memphis, Ark., Ruby Scott of Chicago and Betsy Crosby of Memphis; 23 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; a special friend, Travis McClure of Graceland Care Center; a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dinah Mae Miller Foster; a son, Jimmy Foster; a daughter, Pinese Foster; two brothers, Willard Foster and Richard Foster; and four sisters, Ellean Traylor, Sarah Davis, Elizabeth Webber and Gertrude Randle.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, and from 4:30 to service time Thursday at Victory Life Center. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday.